We offer support and advice to PGR students throughout the research journey, from initial literature searching through to writing your thesis and publishing your work.
Literature searching is a fundamental skill for postgraduate researchers, enabling you to build a solid foundation for your studies. Effective literature searches help identify existing research, uncover gaps in knowledge, and provide context for new investigations. Utilising library databases, academic journals, and other scholarly resources, allows you to gather relevant and credible sources.
More information on accessing databases and using other tools for finding information can be found on the Tools for Research guide. If you require support with literature searching contact your Academic Subject Librarian.
Research data management (RDM) is crucial as it ensures the integrity, accessibility, and reproducibility of research. RDM practices help in organising and storing data systematically, making it easier to retrieve and analyse. This not only enhances the efficiency of the research process but also ensures compliance with institutional and funding body requirements. Additionally, well-managed data can be shared with the broader research community, fostering collaboration and advancing knowledge in the field.
Adopting robust RDM practices safeguards data against loss or corruption, ultimately contributing to the credibility and impact of research. More information on RDM can be found on the Research Data Management guide.
The Writing Development team offer tailored support to enhance writing skills, skills which are crucial for producing high-quality theses, dissertations, and research papers. The team provides workshops on academic writing, covering topics such as structuring arguments and writing literature reviews, as well as how to manage long documents in Microsoft Word. Additionally, they offer one-on-one consultations to provide personalised support. You can find more information on the Writing Development team, including how to make appointments on the Writing Development website.
Reference management software allows you to create your own personal database of reference sources for theses or research projects, by importing information from online sources, such as the Library website, journal article databases, Google Scholar and stored pdf files. You can organise and manage your references, and automatically create in-text citations whilst writing, along with a corresponding reference list/bibliography in your selected citation style.
Both EndNote and RefWorks are available to all University of Lincoln staff and students, and the Library provides support in using the software. Full details and further guidance can be found in our Reference Management Tools Guide including pre-recorded webinars. You can also book onto one of our live webinars through the Library events guide, or contact your Academic Subject Librarian with any questions or for further support.
When you’re ready to publish your research, the Library can help you decide where to publish (for example, checking credibility of journals or using research metrics to select a journal), provide support with the various Open Access publishing options available, and signpost information on OA, REF, and funder requirements and provide support with reference management software to help streamline the writing and submission process. We can also help navigate any copyright issues.
An understanding of copyright principles is fundamental to ethical and effective research practices. It ensures you respect the intellectual property rights of others, which is essential when incorporating existing research, images, or data into your own work. This not only helps you avoid plagiarism and potential legal issues but enhances the credibility and integrity of research by correctly attributing sources. Understanding copyright also allows you to protect your own work, giving you control on how your research is used and shared. It helps you navigate the complexities of publishing, such as knowing what rights you might need to transfer to publishers and what rights they can retain. More information on copyright and licensing can be found on the Copyright and Licensing guide.
Explore the various Library teams to discover the support available to you, including Academic Subject Librarians, Writing Development, MASH and Wellbeing. The Library offers workshops for postgraduate research students as part of the Researcher Development Programme.
For more information and to book these workshops, visit the Researcher Development Programme webpage. Additionally, check out the Library events guide for more workshops and events.
